☞ DRINK: Bier and Chocolat Opening Night

Readers have mentioned that Chocolat (at 120th and FDB/8th Avenue) had signs announcing today as their opening day and Bier International (113th and FDB) has been sending e-mail blasts all afternoon announcing that beer is indeed ready to be served. Walking by Chocolat this afternoon, one can see the sign announcing the restaurant's opening from 5:00 PM-12:00 AM tonight. Bier International looks about the same as it has (pretty much complete) but the guys inside were busy cleaning all the windows and working on finishing touches. Our guess is that early evening will be their grand opening also. Stay tuned. Read more about Chocolat in our past post: LINK. Read about Bier International: LINK

☞ EAT: The Red Rooster Location Narrows More

One out of the two locations that folks have been speculating on for top chef Marcus Samuelsson's new restaurant has dropped out as a contender. HarlemCondoLife reports that 2211-2223 FDB/8th Avenue (lower photo) will have a restaurant called Chocolat taking over the space in the coming months. Many who live around the block at the corner of West 120th Street thought the recent activity at the large restaurant storefront indicated that this would be the new home of the highly anticipated Red Rooster restaurant and speakeasy. Chocolat has now been confirmed to soon arrive and the eatery will be the second restaurant on the South Harlem corridor for the proprietor of Moca Lounge which is a few blocks south. With the post Labor Day starting date that Mr. Samuelsson has intimated recently, most would agree that the new, soon-to-be-complete Aloft hotel (top photo) at 123rd street, is now the number one choice for the Red Rooster. Read all the Red Rooster rumors in our past post: LINK. All photos by Ulysses

☞ EAT: New Awning & Signage at Chocolat

Chocolat over at FDB/8th Avenue and West 120th Street was looking a little bleak for some time but we noticed a bit of activity inside and out this past weekend.  The storefront of the eatery never looked really complete until awnings and large flag signage finally arrived at the front facade.  With the softer finishings in place, the last detail of the restaurant's design seems to be additional painting of the exterior walls since brownstone colored test patches have been up on the side of the building for some time (at far bottom right of photo).  Those test colors look a little too red in our opinion (for they match closely to the brick hue) since most classic buildings with a brick shaft have either a contrasting darker brownstone base or a light limestone color.  As for the inside part of the space, it did seem like business has picked up during the brunch hours on the weekends. If these guys have their sidewalk cafe license in order than this part of FDB will really be an outdoor dining boulevard this coming spring.

☞ EAT: Chocolat Getting Ready to Open

The new restaurant called Chocolat (at 120th and FDB/8th Avenue) looks like they will be ready to open by the end of summer. A reader pointed out the NOW HIRING signs that have been up recently and there was an open call this past Wednesday. A nice coat of high gloss paint on the facade details has dressed up the exterior out front and the interior looks like its going to be decidedly contemporary. Folks who missed out on the open call might want to drop by Moca Lounge a couple of blocks south seeing that both establishments are by the same proprietor: LINK. The nearest subways to this location is the A,B,C,D train at 125th Street or the B,C at 116th. Photos by Ulysses

☞ READ: Last Week's Most Talked About Posts

Happy Fourth of July! Photo of Grant's Tomb Celebration circa 1909

1. West 124th and Fifth Circa 1932 (17)

2. Target Aiming for East Harlem (15)

3. The Kalahari Mixes Things Up (9)

4. Chocolat Getting Ready to Open (9)

5. The Harlem Brownstone Shell 2010 (9)

☞ LISTEN: Cabaret Chocolat at Harlem Stage

Saturday, February 12th, 7:30 PM, Harlem Stage at Aaron Davis Hall located on Convent Avenue between 133rd and 135th Street. Tamar-Kall returns to Harlem Stage just in time for Valentine's weekend after last year's sold out, indie-alternative, cabaret and burlesque extravaganza. Leave the kids home for this one.  More details and online $25 tickets can be found on the Harlem Stage site: LINK. Photos courtesy Harlem Stage.

EAT: THE CRUFFIN AT LE PETIT PARISIEN

Harlem Bespoke: We have always been a big fan of Le Petit Parisien on Lenox by 118th Street since the bakery cafe opened up last year and new things are always added on the menu.  On our usual visit yesterday, the owner had us try the new Cruffin which was a crossover between a cinnamon roll, croissant and muffin all in one.  So how was it?

☞ EAT: That Update on Honeycomb Burgers

The proprietors of the restaurant Chocolat at 120th Street and FDB/8th Avenue evidently have plans for the large storefront just south of eatery but what is actually going on wiht Honeycomb Burgers? When the signs went up at 2223 FDB back in May, folks were expecting some activity at the new burger joint but a whole lot of nothing has been happening in the past few months.  Looking at DOB permits on file, it appears that the restaurant had paperwork submitted early in June but they were disapproved about three weeks later. All the plans are thus in order to go forward with the new restaurant at this point but it seems that permit technicalities are prevented progress. Read more about Honeycomb Burgers in our original post: LINK

☞ EAT: Chokolat Patisserie

This West Harlem patisserie is less than two years old but already has some of the best pastries that one will find in Manhattan. Once more, the secret is the butter used in baking their croissants and "pain au chocolat," which are indeed the most moist confections to be found anywhere. The seating space is quite limited, so take out for some coffee and a bite-to-go is a very popular option. Located at 3111 Broadway between LaSalle and 123rd Street. Tel. (212) 662-6096. Take the 1 train to 125th Street or 116th Street and stop by before heading to Riverside Park.

☞ EAT: Honeycomb Burgers Arriving on FDB

Chocolat at 2223 FDB/8th Avenue and 120th Street is about to get a new neighbor.  The massive center retail space in the building that takes up a full block on the FDB corridor now has signs up announcing that Honeycomb Burgers will be arriving soon.  It looks like a big operation but having burgers as the main item means that something more affordable should be coming along. Once this establishment opens up, the only remaining retails space on that side of the street would be at the south corner of the building.  Cupcake Suite has been trying to open up in the past year within that space but has failed to do so: LINK.  Click on lower image to enlarge